CONSTANTINE HOUVARDAS

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CONSTANTINE (GUS) HOUVARDAS April 6, 1926 - March 12, 2017 Peacefully, with his family at his side, Constantine Houvardas fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, March 12 after a brief illness. Gus was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and immigrated to Canada in 1958 for a better future after a short time in the US. He met the love of his life in 1959 on the bus on the way to the Greek Church one Sunday morning. Despite other opportunities, they made their home in Winnipeg with Gus applying his trade as a metal worker and his wife Effie a registered nurse. As immigrants themselves, he and his wife welcomed many other Greeks into their home as they came to Winnipeg during the 1960s and 1970s, giving them room and board until they were on their own feet. All had different ideas on how they were going to make their fortunes but his advice was always the same; settle down, apply yourself, work hard and you will be OK. Gus grew up in a different time. Having lost his father in the Great Famine in Greece during the German occupation of the Second World War, he was tasked at a young age to be the breadwinner of his family. He didn't speak much of it but it would be a time of great influence on him and have a profound effect on how he lived and the decisions he made. He had an appreciation for what he had and took nothing for granted. Gus enjoyed a simple life centered around family, friends, his church, the Greek Community, good, simple food and his homeland which he visited as often as possible. Visiting his brother was very important to him as was his home town, Thessaloniki which he loved passionately. Gus was a craftsman who could fix anything and took pride in his work and all the projects he undertook. He was a man of few words but very wise and an avid reader of history and politics which resulted in many exciting discussions among friends. Life took an unexpected turn in 2008 when he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. He made the best of it as long as he could as the disease slowly overcame him and took away who he was. In the later years his greatest joys were the family get-togethers especially with his sons and grandchildren, Alexander and Stephanie both of whom he adored and spoke about very much. Constantine was predeceased by his father Abraham and mother Calliope, and survived by his sons Abraham (Mike) and Angie, Perry and Helen, grandchildren Constantine (Alexander) and Stephanie, wife Efstathia (Effie), his brother Demetrios in Thessaloniki and sister Eriphili (Eri) in Ottawa. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of B1 at Riverview Health Centre for their care, Doctors Klaponski and Blom, as well as all the family and friends for their visits and kind support over the years. Prayers will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave. Funeral Service will be held Friday, March 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name, may be made to the St. Demetrios Greek School or Riverview Health Centre Unit AB1. www.voyagefuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 15, 2017